It appears that not all are viewing these times as the cup half empty.

A group of businesses called Grupo Manuel Antonio, has joined efforts to improve infrastructure in Quepos/Manuel Antonio are and organize development programs. This is Costa Rica’s very popular Central Pacific destination Manuel Antonio National Park is going to get a face lift and, which will benefit from $120 million for improving facilities there and offer better services to the many tourists who visit the coastal preserve.

The second most visited protected area in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio has been without proper maintenance for years and some studies claim the lagoon inside the park has become contaminated.

There also some ambitious plans for the Quepos Municipal Airport. They plan to invest between $4 million and $5 million, with the local municipality declaring the project of ‘‘cantonal interest’’ and providing the first 200 million colones ($365,000) to begin improvements to the airport, which is expected to become the new gateway to the Central Pacific region.

It is currently the second busiest national airport, behind Tobias Bolaños in San Jose, according to Civil Aviation officials.  When completed, it will handle planes carrying up to 46 passengers to land there, from destinations such as the international airports of Juan Santamaria and Liberia and other destinations inside and outside Costa Rica.

Funds will be provided by private sources as well to make Quepos the first mixed-capital airport project managed by the Civil Aviation General Office (DGAC).

Aguirre Mayor Oscar Monge said that his municipality has already approved $200,000 for the next budget cycle to begin expanding the airport under a mixed-capital agreement. In other efforts to strengthen the tourism industry in the region, officials announced the organization of travel fair, A travel fair called EXPOMA 2009, will be held next Sept. 24-27 under the concept of ‘‘zero carbon emissions.’’ This will be the first Pacific regional fair and will also include a ‘‘Green Expo’’ spearheaded by the Corcovado Foundation and a regional employment fair with participation from the

An agreement was signed  by The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) with the Municipality of Aguirre (where Quepos is located) for training of personnel, as part of the Tourist Municipalities Program. It will include developing a lifeguard program for the Espadilla Norte beach, one of the most popular in the region; the program will entail hiring trained personnel and building a lifeguard station on the beach, with support from the municipality and local tourism companies.

Tourism companies in the Central Pacific are also offering discounts of 15 percent up to 40 percent are being offered by Tourism companies in an effort to increase visitors to the region.

Also, the Hotel Parador has just unveiled a new tower with 30 luxury suites and two master suites. Wyndham Resorts just announced construction of the five-star Hotel Jade in Manuel Antonio, which will offer more than 200 units. Hats off to this group of businesses that have shown the initiative to move forward in a very positive fashion.

We at are please to represent some of the fine properties of the central Pacific. Take a peek to see a fine project for ocean view homes $139,999 coming soon.